CHARITY DINNER IN AID OF DEPARTMENT FOR ABDOMINAL AND TRANSPLANT SURGERY IN NOVI SAD UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES

Novi Sad, 23 November 2009 – The Crown Princess Katherine Foundation organized tonight a charity gala dinner in aid of the Department for Abdominal and Transplant Surgery in Novi Sad, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine at the Hotel Park.

In the beginning of the programme speeches were delivered by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine, Dr. Tomislav Stantic, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Atila Cengeri, Vojvodina State Secretary, Prof. Dr. Dragan Draskovic, General Manager of Clinical Centre of Vojvodina and Prof. Dr. Zoran Milosevic, Manager of Department for Abdominal Surgery Clinical Centre of Vojvodina.

The Crown Prince warmly thanked everyone that supported this event emphasizing that the Department for Abdominal Surgery is vital for the Vojvodina region and that he is hopes that the citizens of Vojvodina will be satisfied with the reconstructed department.

The Crown Princess Katherine pointed out: “Thank you very much for coming here and supporting this important cause. The Clinical Centre of Vojvodina and Clinic for Abdominal Surgery is of great importance for the citizens of the Vojvodina region. I have to point out that it is remarkable that there are many people that understood the importance of this project, even though our country as well as the rest of the world are affected by the economic crises”.

Dr Tomislav Stantic, State secretary in the Ministry of health, emphasized importance of reconstruction of department for abdominal surgery for all citizens of Novi Sad and Vojvodina and thanked Their Royal Highnesses on initiating this humanitarian project. He also reminded that two biggest humanitarian donations this year to health system of Serbia came from RTV B92 and HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation – two mobile digital mammography units. Mobile digital mammography unit donated by HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation will be placed in Vojvodina as of December this year.

The dinner was attended by Dr. Tomislav Stantic, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Atila Cengeri, Vojvodina State Secretary, Prof. Dr. Dragan Draskovic, General Manager of Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Prof. Dr. Zoran Milosevic, Manager of department for Abdominal Surgery Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Novakov-Mikic, Secertay for Health of the City of Novi Sad, Mr. Branimir Mitrovic, Deputy President of the Assembly of Vojvodina as well as the representatives of over 50 companies that supported this project.

The Clinic for Abdominal, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery is the oldest surgical hospital in Vojvodina and serves all citizens of Vojvodina and Novi Sad. It is estimated that in one year only this Hospital treats over 10,000 patients and that over 2,500 surgical interventions, mainly the most serious ones, are performed there. Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited this hospital earlier this year, and saw the very grave situation, which impelled them to initiate this humanitarian event. All proceeds from the humanitarian dinner will be used for reconstruction works at the Department for abdominal and transplant surgery in Novi Sad.

HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation would like to thank Sunoko Company, the main sponsor, silver sponsors OTP Bank, Humanitarian Fund Budimir B. Kostic - Raiffeisen Bank, National Bank of Greece, Eurobank EFG Bank, Elektrovojvodina, as well as all companies that supported this humanitarian action: Hotel Park, Coca Cola HBC, Stylos, Mesopromet, Minaqua BB, Color Press Group, PMF Novi Sad, Eko Yu AD Beograd – Hellenic Petroleum Group, Societe Generale bank, AMB Grafika A.D, Vojvodjanska Bank, Ivković atelje, Abakus, Mega shop, Messer Tehnogas, Lalin attorney at Law Office, Pantogrup, Panto Market doo, Etem SCG doo, Etno-food, Winery “Do kraja sveta” Kovilj, LukOil Beopetrol, Hemofarm, Studentska zadruga “Student”, YU Italcom, Grand Casino, Autokuca Stojanov, FAP Corporation AD, Company Dunav Osiguranje GF Novi Sad, Veropoulos, University of Novi Sad, Wineyard “Zivanović”, Municipality of Beocin, Pavle Shoes, Bozen Cosmetics, Sika doo, JP Srbija Sume, Jugoremedija, Attorneys at law Popovic, Wineyard Kuzmanovic, Navip, Videx Grup, Marfin Bank, Rehau doo, Art & Stil doo.